13 Bible Verses About Gratitude That Will Change Your Heart

Bible verses about gratitude fill the pages of the Bible. It wasn’t a theme God went light on. Therefore, it signifies gratitude is something crucial to our faith walk and to living victoriously. Gratitude is a powerful weapon against defeat. And at the same time, it breathes life into the characteristics we all desire in our lives.

13 Bible Verses About Gratitude That Will Change Your Heart

Our natural tendency as humans is to want more. Consequently, we become immune to what we have and look to a “more” that we erroneously believe will fill those missing gaps in our lives and our hearts.

We can look back to the very beginning of time – to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. God created them and even gave them paradise. They had only one rule and that was to not eat from one specific tree — the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He told them that eating its fruit would bring them death.

But along came the serpent with his lies that always only lead to destruction. He told Eve she wouldn’t die if she ate from the tree. But instead, her eyes would be opened so she could be like God, knowing both good and evil. And with that, she was convinced.

“The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.” -Genesis 3:6 NLT

So there it is — the “want” that rises up within us.

Eve had paradise, yet she wanted more. She wanted God’s wisdom. And even though God had warned her, she chose to believe a serpent over the God who had created her with and for a purpose.

So how do we curb that desire for more that rises up within us? How do we know when it is a healthy more that leads us to our purpose? Or when it’s a deceiving more that leads us to destruction and defeat?

Knowing the difference comes from knowing God.

It takes keeping ourselves in check and filtering our wants through the Word of God. When our want of more is in conflict with His character or His Word, we know our “more” is a more of destruction.

Above all, gratitude is a tool God has given us to fight the more of destruction. Gratitude gets our hearts right with God and aligns our thoughts with His will. It makes us remember and breathes life into the things that lead us to our God-given purpose.

Gratitude breathes life into:

contentment

selflessness

courageous sacrifice

proper perspective

peace

generosity

joy

hope

worship

prayer

So, let’s get started right where God tells us all about a grateful heart — in the Word of God!

13 Bible Verses About Gratitude That Will Change Your Heart

Peace and Contentment

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.-Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. -Colossians 3:15 NLT

Generosity, Selflessness, and Sacrifice

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. -2 Corinthians 9:11 NIV

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” -Luke 22:19 NIV

Hope, Joy, and Perspective

I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people. -Psalm 52:9 NLT

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. -Psalm 118:24 NLT

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. -Colossians 3:17 NLT

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.  -Philippians 4:12-13 ESV

Prayer and Worship

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. – Hebrews 12:28 NLT

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. -Psalm 9:1 NLT

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. -Colossians 4:2 NLT

Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. -Psalm 106:1

A Prayer for Gratitude

Dear Jesus,

You created all the world with such loving attention to detail. So, that includes me. Because You know me as no other can, You, therefore, know every battle I face and every temptation that comes my way. You know those things that bring me to my knees and make me long for more. You know where discontent has slipped into the hidden corners of my heart and where it is leading to comparison and ultimately to defeat.

God, I ask You now, to reveal to me the darkest places within me. Reveal to me where I compare. Where I take for granted and where my want is not from You. Then, Lord, bring to the surface of my mind all the marvelous things You have done. Prick my mind in remembrance and therefore in praise and gratitude.

Father, I desire a grateful heart. A heart that leads with generosity and selflessness. I long for Your peace, hope, and joy. I commit today to finding the good — remembering the good — and intentionally praising You in thanksgiving each day as my feet hit the floor.

No more will the enemy taunt me into defeated places. But, in the name of Jesus, I will be free to walk in the purpose for which You have created me. I will walk in victory as I shout Your name in praise!

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

More From the Series!

Here you can find each hope-filled post to add to your collection of inspirational Bible verses and prayers!

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